Do Your Work Heartily
2 Peter 1:5-8, Colossians 3:23 Diligence is the virtue that combats the sin of sloth, and it’s a wonderful virtue to cultivate in your life
Original photo by Eric Brehm via Unsplash
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:5-8 NASB1995
Diligence. The word means “constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind” (definition from Dictionary.com). In this month’s deep dive into sin and virtues, diligence shows up as the virtue opposing the sin of sloth.
In today’s primary verse from 2 Peter, the saint is referring to applying “constant and earnest effort” and “persistent exertion of body or mind” to faith, moral excellence, knowledge (of Scripture), self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. I love how Peter wrote this, going from faith to love in a connected chain of virtues!
I’ve pointed out many times in devotionals that we need to change our earthly selves to deserve our eternal reward. People we meet each and every day should “know we are Christians by our love” to quote the 1960s hymn, and one way to combat sloth and promote diligence is to be excellent in everything we do when dealing with others at work, play, and church.
There are several other bits of Scripture that expound on this theme:
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”
Colossians 3:23 NASB1995
If God would be happy with your work, how do you think mere humans would feel about how you’re serving them? They’d be overjoyed! I chose the subject for today’s photo because of two things: the man in the picture has the appearance of a hard worker, and he seems to be happy!
I know that I am honestly impressed with the greeters at our church each Sunday, as they genuinely seem to love seeing that we’re joining them for worship. At our previous church, the greeters (when they showed up…) always seemed preoccupied as they handed you the week’s newsletter and order of service with a mumbled “Good morning”.
“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.”
Proverbs 22:29 NASB1995
Someone who is skilled in their work and diligent in working to keep God’s commandments, will stand before the King of Kings!
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father, help us in our work, play, and especially in our church lives to be diligent, prepared, resourceful, cheerful, and wise workers. Your Word gives us many reminders of the benefits of diligence! We thank You for the ability to work physically and mentally, and to enjoy the fruits of our labor through Your provision. We are grateful to You for supplying everything we need in life, but especially for the opportunity to use Your gifts with wisdom. AMEN.